Gather Materials
Making your own hyaluronic acid serum can be an easy, budget-friendly way to get glowing skin. Before getting started, you’ll need to gather the necessary ingredients and tools. The materials you’ll need to make hyaluronic acid serum are glycerin, preservative, hyaluronic acid powder, distilled water, and measuring spoons or a digital scale. Let’s go over each one in more detail:
- Glycerin
- Preservative
- Hyaluronic acid powder
- Distilled water
- Measuring spoons or a digital scale
Hyaluronic acid powder
Hyaluronic acid powder is derived from natural sources, such as the skin of animals, egg capture or bacteria fermentation. It is a polysaccharide and one of the main components of our skin tissue. It functions as a molecular sponge and can absorb up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it perfect for cellular hydration and moisture retention.
In order to make your own hyaluronic acid serum, you’ll need to get some hyaluronic acid powder—this can easily be bought online or in-store at most health stores. The type of hyaluronic acid powder you buy will depend on your desired results. Many products today offer multiple molecular sizes (or combination thereof), which allow users to create serums that are tailored for their specific needs. Look for powders that are free from binders and fillers, particularly synthetic ones. You will also need a glycerin base which will serve as the main ingredient in your serum recipe to thicken it and maintain consistency of your homemade product.
Vegetable glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is an important ingredient for making hyaluronic acid serum at home. It is a clear, odorless liquid derived from vegetable fats and oils that serves as a humectant, emollient, and emulsifier in beauty products. It helps to seal in moisture and balance the pH level of the skin. When mixed with other ingredients and applied topically, it can reduce wrinkles and restore elasticity to the skin.
You will need 1 tablespoon (15ml) of vegetable glycerin to make your hyaluronic acid serum. It can be found both online and in most health food stores; look for a brand labeled as vegetable-derived with no artificial flavors or color added. If you are unable to find it locally, you can buy it online at sites such as Amazon or Ebay. Once you have your glycerin, measure out 15ml into a small bowl or container for use in your hyaluronic acid serum recipe.
Witch hazel
For your homemade hyaluronic acid serum, you will need witch hazel. Witch hazel is an age-old ingredient that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne and wrinkles. Witch hazel is known for its astringent qualities that helps tighten pores on the skin’s surface. It can also reduce inflammation and redness due to its natural antioxidant properties.
To make sure that your serum is effective, purchase witch hazel with a high concentration of tannins, which are plant-based chemicals that are believed to be beneficial for the skin.
Distilled water
Distilled Water: Distilled water is essential to creating a hyaluronic acid serum. This is because the distilled water is free of any added chemicals or particles that can interfere with the chemical structure of the serum. The distilled water will ensure that you have a light, easy to apply product that won’t leave your skin feeling heavy or greasy after application.
Essential oil (optional)
If you are going to create a scented serum, then you will need to add a few drops of essential oil at the very end of the process. For a hyaluronic acid serum, citrus essential oils such as bergamot and orange are best – this will make your serum smell great and also add some nourishing benefits for your skin.
When selecting an essential oil, please keep in mind that there are many on the market that have not been well tested for their safety – seek out reliable brands or talk to an aromatherapist if you need some advice. Essential oils can be a great addition to homemade beauty recipes, but it is best to proceed with caution when using them.
Prepare Ingredients
Making a hyaluronic acid serum requires preparation of the ingredients first. This first step will involve measuring and mixing necessary ingredients in the right proportions. Depending on the recipe, you may need to prepare distilled water, vitamin C powder, preservative, hyaluronic acid powder, and glycerin. It is important to get the right amounts of each ingredient to make sure your serum is effective.
Measure out hyaluronic acid powder
When preparing hyaluronic acid serum at home, it is important to measure the powder with accurate accuracy and be sure that all tools used are sterile.
Begin by measuring and weighting out 25 g (1 oz) of pure hyaluronic acid powder in a clean glass jar. The amount of the powder will be dependent on the application – more can be dissolved if making larger batches, but avoid overloading in a single jar as the mixture can become unstable. Once it has been weighed accurately, use an electric whisk to mix the powder until it is fully dissolved in water.
If a single recipe requires more than 25 g of hyaluronic acid powder reformulation may be needed for optimum stability.
Measure out vegetable glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is an important carrier oil in a hyaluronic acid serum. It helps ensure that the hyaluronic acid molecules remain small enough to penetrate into the skin, and also helps increase the amount of hydration in your skin.
To measure out your vegetable glycerin, use a kitchen scale to make sure you get an accurate measurement. Start by weighing out 10g of vegetable glycerin and adding it to a container that you can use for mixing.
Measure out witch hazel
Before you get started on making your own hyaluronic acid serum, you’ll need to measure out your ingredients. Begin by pouring 1/4 cup of witch hazel into a bowl. Witch Hazel is a plant-derived liquid known for its astringent and antioxidant properties, and it’s an important ingredient in this serum recipe. Make sure to measure it as accurately as possible – too much or too little witch hazel can alter the results of the recipe. Once you’ve finished measuring out 1/4 cup, set it aside and prepare the remaining ingredients.
Measure out distilled water
For hyaluronic acid serum, you will need to begin by measuring out ¾ cup of distilled water and place it into a medium sized heat-safe glass bowl. Make sure that it is labeled as ‘distilled’ or ‘purified’, as tap water contains trace amounts of minerals and organisms that can damage the serum. As you measure it out, ensure the bowl is clean and free from dust particles or other residue. Use something like a tablespoon to measure out the correct amount for your mixture.
Measure out essential oil (optional)
The type of essential oil you choose for your serum will depend on your desired outcome—whether it’s to moisturize dry skin or battle acne. Some popular and effective oils for the face include jojoba oil, rosehip seed, argan oil and sweet almond.
With a tablespoon, measure out 3-5 drops of essential oil into a small bowl. Jojoba oil is ideal for oily skin types; rosehip seed is great if you’re looking to fade complexion issues like scars or dark spots; while argan is known to help keep skin’s elasticity. Sweet almond oil provides deep hydration and nourishment due to its thicker consistency and subtle nutty aroma.
Mix Ingredients
One of the key components in creating a homemade hyaluronic acid serum is to mix the appropriate ingredients. While some of the ingredients are already prepared and can be found easily, there are other ingredients that may have to be mixed together. This section will talk about the process of mixing ingredients to make the hyaluronic acid serum.
Combine hyaluronic acid powder and vegetable glycerin
Combining hyaluronic acid powder and vegetable glycerin is an essential step in making a high-quality hyaluronic acid serum. Here is a simple guide for blending these two ingredients:
- To begin, in a glass bowl or container, add one tablespoon of hyaluronic acid powder and add one-half cup of vegetable glycerin.
- Gently stir the two solutions together until the powder has dissolved in the liquid. You may need to mix for several minutes to ensure that all of the powder has been fully blended into the liquid.
Once your hyaluronic acid and vegetable glycerin are combined, you should have a thick, clear serum that is ready to use on your skin. This active ingredient mixture will help promote skin elasticity, hydration, and skin rejuvenation when used regularly. For best results, use this homemade hyaluronic acid serum immediately after preparation to ensure maximum effectiveness of your DIY skincare concoction.
Slowly add witch hazel and distilled water
Begin by mixing together:
- five tablespoons of hyaluronic acid powder with two-and-a-half teaspoons of vegetable glycerin.
Use a whisk to blend the two ingredients together until no lumps remain and the mixture is homogenous.
In a separate bowl, slowly add:
- sixteen ounces of witch hazel and eight ounces of distilled water.
Use either a whisk or spoon to blend the liquids together until uniform in consistency.
Once the liquid ingredients are combined, slowly add them to the powder and glycerin mixture while utilizing a whisk to continuously stir. Once all of the liquid has been added, mix until all clumps have been fully incorporated and leave aside for fifteen minutes as this will allow time for any residual bubbles to dissipate naturally.
Stir until all ingredients are combined
Before you begin making your hyaluronic acid serum, make sure you have all of the ingredients gathered together in one place and within easy reach. You will need:
- 2 tablespoons of distilled water
- 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin
- 1/2 teaspoon of hyaluronic acid powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum
When you have the ingredients ready to go, it’s time to start mixing them together.
Start by adding the water to a clean container and then sprinkle the hyaluronic acid powder into the water. Once the powder has been added, stir until it has dissolved completely into the water. You should then add in both the vegetable glycerin and xanthan gum, stirring constantly until all ingredients are combined evenly with no lumps or clumps remaining in the mixture. The end result should be a smooth liquid consistency that looks similar to honey or syrup. Allow your serum to rest until it thickens before transferring it into an airtight container for storage. Congrats! Your DIY hyaluronic acid serum is now complete and ready for use!
Add essential oil (optional)
For a final addition for the treatment of dehydration, many people choose to include an essential oil in their hyaluronic acid serum. Essential oils are concentrated adding specific additional therapeutic benefits. If you choose to add an essential oil, it is important that you make sure it is safe to use on your skin. Many essential oils should be used in dilutions of 3%-5%. The best way to do that is by pairing it with a carrier oil, such as olive oil. This will allow you to measure out exactly how much essential oil you’re adding and help the ingredients mix more evenly. Using too much of the wrong type of oil can cause your skin to become irritated or inflamed, so please do your research beforehand.
Some great choices for seed based oils are rosehip seed oil or evening primrose oil for added hydration and omega fatty acids (which work synergistically with HA). As far as essential oils go, there are also a number of fragrant ones that may be used as well such as lavender or rose geranium that have calming properties and provide skin benefits like improving redness or maintaining even skin tone. There are many options available, so take time to research the best one for you before including it in your serum mixture.
Store Serum
Once you have your homemade hyaluronic acid serum, it’s important to store it properly to ensure it remains effective. Storing the serum properly will not only help you to maintain its effectiveness but also ensure your safety.
There are several methods for storing hyaluronic acid serum, and in this article, we will discuss the optimal storage option for your homemade serum.
Place serum in a clean, airtight container
Before adding the serum to your skincare routine, you must store it properly. It’s important to keep your serum in a clean, airtight container that won’t let any air or light into the serum. This will help prevent any bacteria from multiplying in the serum.
Therefore, when purchasing a container for storing your serum, make sure it is completely sealed so that no air or light can enter. You should also be sure to store the serum away from direct sunlight as this may have an effect on the quality of the product. Additionally, be sure to:
- Throw out any expired serum and
- Replace it with a new one.
Store in a cool, dry place
Whenever you make a serum, it is important to store it correctly in order to ensure that your serum remains as fresh and effective for as long as possible. The optimal storage environment for serums is generally a cool, dry location such as the refrigerator or a cool dark cabinet. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly, which can cause premature degradation of ingredients.
For most serums containing hyaluronic acid, store away from extreme temperatures (above 75°F or 24°C). Storing your serum at room temperature or in your fridge is recommended; just be sure not to freeze it. If you freeze the serum and then use it, the hyaluronic acid will become destabilized; making it less effective and compromising its skin-nourishing benefits.
When storing serums in cooler climates, keep them out of direct sunlight and protect them from drafts and sudden changes in temperature that may be present near windows or air ducts. Additionally, wait until your serum bottle has cooled down before adding the cap; overheating can make condensation form inside of the bottle after you cap the bottle which could cause the vitamins to break down faster than normal. Finally, exposing serums to any containers with metal lids should also be avoided due to oxidation reactions between some preservatives found in some products and metal lids which can further accelerate expiration dates.
Use within 3-4 weeks
Hyaluronic acid serum should be used within 3-4 weeks of making, otherwise the active ingredients will start to break down and lose their potency. During this time, it should be kept at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. It’s also important to keep the lid on the bottle tightly secured so that air cannot get in. Air exposure will cause oxidation, leading to accelerated degradation and an off-putting smell.
If you notice any discoloration, a ‘funny’ smell or texture change, discard your serum immediately and don’t use it on your skin or face.